Pathophys ch22 acute neuro Flashcards
meningitis
infection of the meninges - from viral (most common) or bacterial (more serious).
concussion
reversible interference with brain function from a mild blow to the head - which causes sudden excessive movement of the brain - disrupting neurologic function and leading to loss of consciousness.
contusion
bruising of the brain tissue with rupture of small blood vessels and edema that usually results from a blunt blow to the head.
amnesia
memory loss
open head injury
involves fracture or penetration of brain by sharp objects.
closed head injury
occurs when skull is not fracture in the injury - but the brain tissue is injured and blood vessels may be ruptured by the force exerted against the skull.
contrecoup
occurs when an area of the brain contralateral to the site of direct damage is injured as the brain bounces off the skull.
coup
site of the primary injury in the brain.
hematoma
collection of blood in the tissue that develops from ruptured blood vessels - either immediately after the injury or after some delay.
otorrhea
leaking of spinal fluid from the ear resulting from fractures and tearing of the meninges.
rinorrhea
leadking of spinal fluid from the nose.
otorrhagia
blood leaking through the ear from a fractured site with torn blood vessels and meninges.
supratentorial lesions
lesions above the tentorium cerebelli- resulting in a specific dysfunction in the specific area of injury; most become very large before it affects consciousness.
infratentorial lesions
lesions below the tentorium cerebelli which can be detrimental - impairing respiratory and circulatory functions.
left cerebral hemisphere
hemisphere that is involved in logical thinking abilities - analytical skills - intellectual ability - and communication
right cerebral hemisphere
hemisphere involved in art and music preparation - behavior - spatial orientation - and recognition.
coma
state of loss consciousness where the person is unresponsive to painful and verbal stimuli; body is flaccid and some reflexes is still present.
vegetative
state where there is loss of awareness and mental capabilities; the brain stem is still functioning but the body is unresponsive to stimuli.
locked-in-syndrome
state where the individual is aware and capable of thinking but the body is paralyzed and is unable to communicate.
ipsilateral
same side of the body (from damage to the lower motor neurons).
contralateral
opposite side of the body (from damage to upper motor neurons in frontal lobe or corticospinal tract).
decorticate
involuntary motor response from brain trauma characterized by the rigid flexion in the upper limbs - with adducted arms and internal rotation of the hands and extended lower limbs; occur from severe damage in the cerebral hemispheres.
decerebrate
involuntary motor response from brain trauma where the upper and lower limbs are extended - as is the head and the body is arched; occurs in person with brain stem lesions and CNS depression caused by systemic effects.
aphasia
refers to the inability to comprehend or to express language
expressive (motor) aphasia
impaired ability to speak or write fluently or appropriately; unable to find any intelligible words or construct meaningful sentences (i.e Broca’s aphasia)
receptive (sensory) aphasia
inability to read or understand spoken words resulting from damaged area of the brain responsible for processing the information; may be capable of fluent speech - but its meaningless (i.e Wernicke’s aphasia).
dysarthria
a motor dysfunction usually resulting from cranial nerve damage or muscle impairment - where words cannot be articulated clearly.
agraphia
impaired writing ability.
alexia
impaired reading ability.
agnosia
loss of recognition or association.
seizures
convulsions caused by spontaneous excessive discharge of neurons in the brain; can be precipitated by inflammation - hypoxia - or bleeding in the brain.
papilledema
an early sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) where the optic disk has swollen.
ptosis
droopy eyelid
cerebrovascular accidents (CVA)
also called a stroke - is an infarction of brain tissue resulting from lack of blood from 1.) total occlusion of cerebral blood vessel by an atheroma or embolus and/or 2.) ruptured blood vessel.
